Choke setting in the cold

minieggroll · 02-09-2012, 05:09 PM

Hello!

I was riding today and wondering what the appropriate setting is for the choke when it is cold outside. I was riding today with a high of 38 degrees needing about 1/2-3/4 choke for the bike not to die at idle.

I start her up with full choke for about 5 minutes since it is so cold. Am I using the proper choke settings and is this normal/okay for my bike to need half choke at this temp?

Thanks!

Gz Rider · 02-09-2012, 05:30 PM

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5th_bike · 02-09-2012, 07:03 PM

In my case, I also push the choke to about halfway when taking off, and to "off" after a mile or so. But even then, idle is clearly at lower rpms than after say five to eight miles, when it's really heated up well.

[edit] don't have it sit and idle for 5 minutes, better just take off with full or 3/4 choke, once in second or third gear move choke back to about halfway, etc. Your engine warms up much faster when it's working rather than just running.

blaine · 02-09-2012, 07:39 PM

Sounds like a gummed up carb to me.Put some SeaFoam or Berrymans b-12 in a tank of fuel.It may take a couple of days to see a improvement.Put about 3 oz's in a full tank.

:cool:

Water Warrior 2 · 02-09-2012, 07:42 PM

A short warm up before riding is okay. Keep in mind that riding will warm up the oil faster as well as everything else. If you leave it run just long enough for the fins to be warm to the touch then you should be okay. This was a guide line we used to use so keep in mind your own experience may vary somewhat.

minieggroll · 02-10-2012, 04:24 PM

My bike idles at low rpms with no choke in my opinion. Could this be caused by a dirty carb or is it just the idle setting?

blaine · 02-10-2012, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by minieggroll

My bike idles at low rpms with no choke in my opinion. Could this be caused by a dirty carb or is it just the idle setting?

Probably just the idle setting.With the bike fully warmed up,turn the white knob counter clockwise to increase the idle.

:cool:

Gz Rider · 02-10-2012, 05:21 PM

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mrlmd1 · 02-11-2012, 09:22 AM

The choke (enricher) is only used to start the bike, is not needed for riding once the bike warms up, which should be within a few minutes or a mile or so. This does not operate like the butterfly valve in an automobile carbeuretor, it is an enricher circuit that accomplishes the same thing by allowing more fuel to enter the carb, enriching the mixture.
If the bike dies with the engine warm, it's either the idle speed is too low or the carb (idle jet) is dirty, you should not need the enricher to supply more fuel to keep it running. Try the Berrymans for a while, it may clean it up.

minieggroll · 02-17-2012, 05:59 PM

Turns out the idle screw was really lose. I tried turning it about turns but that was not enough. Screwed it in much tighter and the bike runs fine with no choke.

02-09-2012, 05:09 PM	#1
minieggroll Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Columbus Ohio Posts: 73	Choke setting in the cold Hello! I was riding today and wondering what the appropriate setting is for the choke when it is cold outside. I was riding today with a high of 38 degrees needing about 1/2-3/4 choke for the bike not to die at idle. I start her up with full choke for about 5 minutes since it is so cold. Am I using the proper choke settings and is this normal/okay for my bike to need half choke at this temp? Thanks! Login or Register to Remove Ads
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02-09-2012, 05:30 PM	#2
Gz Rider Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 852	Re: Choke setting in the cold ... __________________ *Alert - This person is a douche. Use these comments and advice at your own risk*
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02-09-2012, 07:03 PM	#3
5th_bike Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: HoCo, Maryland Posts: 1,349	Re: Choke setting in the cold In my case, I also push the choke to about halfway when taking off, and to "off" after a mile or so. But even then, idle is clearly at lower rpms than after say five to eight miles, when it's really heated up well. [edit] don't have it sit and idle for 5 minutes, better just take off with full or 3/4 choke, once in second or third gear move choke back to about halfway, etc. Your engine warms up much faster when it's working rather than just running. __________________ 2005 "Saturn Black", stock + tach Login or Register to Remove Ads
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02-09-2012, 07:39 PM	#4
blaine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: P.E.I. Canada Posts: 3,784	Re: Choke setting in the cold Sounds like a gummed up carb to me.Put some SeaFoam or Berrymans b-12 in a tank of fuel.It may take a couple of days to see a improvement.Put about 3 oz's in a full tank. :cool: __________________ If at first you do succeed, try not to look surprised.
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02-09-2012, 07:42 PM	#5
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	Re: Choke setting in the cold A short warm up before riding is okay. Keep in mind that riding will warm up the oil faster as well as everything else. If you leave it run just long enough for the fins to be warm to the touch then you should be okay. This was a guide line we used to use so keep in mind your own experience may vary somewhat. Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

02-10-2012, 04:24 PM	#6
minieggroll Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Columbus Ohio Posts: 73	Re: Choke setting in the cold My bike idles at low rpms with no choke in my opinion. Could this be caused by a dirty carb or is it just the idle setting?
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02-10-2012, 05:21 PM	#8
Gz Rider Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 852	Re: Choke setting in the cold ... __________________ *Alert - This person is a douche. Use these comments and advice at your own risk*
	0

02-11-2012, 09:22 AM	#9
mrlmd1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Crawfordville, Florida Posts: 2,853	Re: Choke setting in the cold The choke (enricher) is only used to start the bike, is not needed for riding once the bike warms up, which should be within a few minutes or a mile or so. This does not operate like the butterfly valve in an automobile carbeuretor, it is an enricher circuit that accomplishes the same thing by allowing more fuel to enter the carb, enriching the mixture. If the bike dies with the engine warm, it's either the idle speed is too low or the carb (idle jet) is dirty, you should not need the enricher to supply more fuel to keep it running. Try the Berrymans for a while, it may clean it up.
	0

02-17-2012, 05:59 PM	#10
minieggroll Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Columbus Ohio Posts: 73	Re: Choke setting in the cold Turns out the idle screw was really lose. I tried turning it about turns but that was not enough. Screwed it in much tighter and the bike runs fine with no choke.
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